Greater New Orleans

No bond for illegal Oakdale snake breeder

OBERLIN, La. -- A former Oakdale man who failed to appear in court last fall on charges of operating an illegal snake breeding business and animal abuse will be held without bond until an Aug. 3 hearing.

State District Judge Patricia Cole ruled Wednesday that 45-year-old David Beauchemin was a flight risk.

Officials say Beauchemin, who was extradited from Woods County, Texas, on Sunday, will be held in a Jackson Parish jail. He was arrested in April.

Beauchemin's wife, Tawni, who also failed to appear for arraignment last September, remains at large.

The American Press reports the Beauchemins also face 21 counts of simple cruelty to animals, one court of possession of snakes longer than 12 feet without a permit and violating interstate commerce laws by selling snakes not legal to possess.